RANDOM CHATSWITH OURDAMN FINEST MAMAS

At today’s event we were talking Post Partum Hair loss, Pubey partings (Jenny has one for the record) identity and confidence crisis dilemmas and how we can get back in control and work with the hair that we now have, post pregnancy...

At the amazing Aveda Lifestyle Salon, sipping on Prosecco (why not?) sat with a massive bunch of beautiful mamas and babies, we listened to a panel of hair experts and pro mamas (MM Jenny, Emily @earnyourroast, Jade @mother_of_all_adventures and Dr Mayoni @drmayoniclinic talking all things hair and how pregnancy and hormones can leave us feeling pretty crap and our hair looking generally a bit shit really!

Mike of Aveda (@michalelendon @avedauk ) ... who has over 15 years experience and 35,000 haircuts in the bag ) said the link between our hair and emotions is pretty strong, so when our hair changes post pregnancy we need to learn how to work with the hair we have now and gain back control of owning our new dos to help us to regain our confidence.

So why do we loose so much hair after baby ?I know for me, during pregnancy my hair was lovely and thick, it grew loads and felt really soft and healthy. Then a few months after I gave birth (mine was worse with my daughters ?? Anyone else ?) it fell out by the handful, it sat really flat and felt dull and lifeless! At times I felt like a coconut had more hair than me. When you already feel like your belly is like a deflated balloon, your boobs are drooping down to your waist, haemorrhoids hanging out your bum (sorry too much ) and a newborn baby hanging off your hip, the hair is like the final straw!

It’s actually completely normal to loose hair post baby, annoying as it is. During pregnancy our normal hair loss process slows right down and we hang on to extra hair, so when our hormone levels return to normal we loose that extra hair along with our normal daily amount (20- 100 hairs) so it seems like a lot. It seems that it happens more when we wash it, but that is simply because our hair is down and being washed, so if you’ve had your mum bun in a few days and then you take it out to wash it, all that hair that’s been stuck up in your bun will come out in the shower, making it seem like loads. I had times when I thought I would have no hair left at all.

You need to carry on washing and styling your hair as normal. Keep your scalp healthy and clean, using good products like Aveda ( the team are happy to advise you and will give you a free scalp and hair health consultation if you pop in)

Regular cuts, but not 6 weekly, as despite what we are led to believe, this does not encourage hair growth, it just blunts the ends making hair look healthier, and thicker

So do yourself a favour AND

Speak to a professional...

Although it’s very easy to grab the nearest hair dye from boots for a DIY Jobbie in desperation, find a nice salon and someone who can help advise on colour and style. See it as an opportunity to grab yourself some time, let someone look after you and make you feel better about yourself, even if you have to take your baby along with you. You will still leave feeling better.......Self care and new hair !!

Our hormones fluctuate so much during pregnancy and post partum, it’s inevitable that it will play havoc with our skin, hair, bodies. Dr Mayoni stressed the importantance to eat well and be kind to yourself during but also after pregnancy.

This is not the time to deprive your body and put yourself on to a restrictive diet but a time to really ensure you are eating nutrient dense, healthy foods.

Vitamin D is vital during pregnancy and after for breastfeeding, and even after that, so continue with your supplements, also we found out today that Mushrooms are a good source!! Get your mushrooms cooking ladies.

I have looked in to some other foods to eat in abundance post partum to help keep you running nicely and the locks looking fab...

Supplement if necessary, find one containing iron, folate, zinc and magnesium. I particularly LOVE Wild Nutrition (@wildnutritionltd ) as they are all food grown supplements and therefore easier for the body to metabolise.

Jade (mum of 5... Supermum) found mixing up her hairstyles and colour during and after pregnancy was a good way to make her feel better, and boost confidence. Emily said she found resuming exercise did wonders for her self esteem and finding herself again. ( oh and both agreed to stay away from the home colouring kits! )

So although we may all be a little greyer, slightly thinner on top, feeling a little less like our Pre-mum selves, if you can get yourself to the salon and have a nice fresh cut and colour, use the best products for your hair at home, and make the best of what you have... mix up your parting from time to time, work out those hair muscles, soon you will feel like you are back in the game with your hair 💪🏻. Try to remember that once your hormones balance out again your hair will return to its normal shedding cycle. If you can try to keep on top of eating healthily, boosting your mood with some exercise (if you can, follow Emily for some motivation ) releasing those happy endorphins, and take time out when you need to, as in go and enjoy some time in the salon chair, You DESERVE it, you will start to feel more like you again.

Thanks for my goody bag Aveda .... how I love a goody bag :) can’t wait to try my products out later too.